Aquaterra Energy, a provider of intelligently engineered products and services for well access and offshore developments, has completed the first phase of a fast-track offshore platform project in Nigeria for Emadeb Energy, an indigenous Nigerian oil and gas company
Delivered within six months, the phase included designing and fabricating a subsea template to enable fast-track drilling to begin while the remaining platform structure continues through fabrication.
Under the contract, Aquaterra Energy is providing a conductor-supported platform, representing the latest phase of growth for Emadeb. The platform will host wellheads and route production to a nearby mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) for processing before export.
The project is being executed in two stages: the first has seen the subsea template designed and fabricated within the six-month window to allow drilling to begin, while the second phase will see installation of the full platform structure over the fully completed wellheads later in 2026. The full development is expected to be completed within 15 months.
Alongside the staged delivery approach, the platform incorporates a simplified topside configuration to reduce build complexity and accelerate delivery. Additionally, Aquaterra Energy has adapted elements from its existing Sea Swift platform designs, reducing the need for full redesign and shortening engineering lead times, with fabrication of the remaining platform structure progressing at a Nigerian fabrication yard.
George Morrison, CEO at Aquaterra Energy, said, “Across West Africa, independent and indigenous operators are taking a more agile approach to offshore developments, with a clear focus on bringing assets online quickly and efficiently. Developed closely with Emadeb, the project shows how staged delivery can protect critical drilling milestones while progressing full platform infrastructure in parallel. It plays directly to our strengths: practical engineering, rapid execution and offshore solutions that help customers move from concept to production faster.”
In Nigeria and the wider West African region, asset ownership is shifting towards indigenous operators, with a strong desire to progress assets and bring production online. This project reflects a growing use of early production systems to enable initial infrastructure and drilling ahead of full platform installation. This also reflects a shift towards staged developments, simplified production systems, and well intervention activities, as operators adopt more agile approaches to production.
Adebowale Olujimi, Group CEO at Emadeb Energy, said, “Aquaterra Energy understood both the project schedule and the long-term performance requirements of the development and delivered a solution that gives us confidence as we move into the next phase. By working closely with our team, they have aligned the overall development programme with our drilling schedule, enabling progress across the project rather than treating individual elements in isolation. This phased approach supports our objective of advancing the development efficiently while maintaining momentum towards production. The project marks an important step as we continue to expand our upstream portfolio and grow our position as a leading indigenous energy company. It also demonstrates the value that can be achieved through close collaboration and in-country execution.”
Edward Betts, offshore developments business unit leader at Aquaterra Energy, said, “This was a fast-turnaround project driven by Emadeb’s drilling schedule, so the priority was to deliver a practical solution that could be deployed within the required timeframe. Installing the subsea template first will allow drilling to begin while the remaining platform structure continues through fabrication. By adapting proven elements from existing Sea Swift designs and working closely with Emadeb, we were able to reduce engineering lead times and keep the project moving.”
